1985 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1 recalls, 16 complaints - 25 TSBs

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Defect Description

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY ANODIZED INTERNAL SURFACES CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF A PISTON SEAL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ONE PORTION OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD BECOME ... Read more

Remedy

MASTER CYLINDERS BUILT ON JANUARY 9, 1985 WILL BE REPLACED.

3,508 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Complaint Statistics

16 total complaints 1 crashes 5 fires 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER	1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	1
SEATS	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1

Incident date: Jul 1, 2016

UPON TURNING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH A KEY, I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I TURNED OFF IGNITION AND INSPECTED THE SOURCE WHICH SEEM TO COME FROM STEERING COLUMN. AFTER REMOVING THE STEERING WHEEL COVER, I NOTICE THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH UNIT HAD BLACK BURNT LOOKING PLACES ON IT. I DECIDED TO... Read more

IGNITION MODULE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED THE SHUT OFF OF GASOLINE FLOW IMMEDIATELY WITH NO CHANCE OF RESTART. *YH

Incident date: Jul 1, 2001

MY FIRST COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE ATEMPTING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY DIED AS IF I HAD TURNED OFF THE KEY. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND JUST BARELY AVOIDED BEING HIT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART UNLESS I JIGGLED TH... Read more

IGNITION SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY FAILS AND BLOWS FUSES.

GAS LINE LEAKS AT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. *YC

Incident date: Dec 14, 1998

HAD PARKED VEHICLE & LEFT FOR AWHILE. RETURNED TO VEHICLE & ENTERED. STARTED VEHICLE & WAS MOVING WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED & TOOK OFF FOR NO REASON. FOOT ON BRAKES AT TIME. VEHICLE HIT 2 PARKED VEHICLES & A FENCE. DRIVER WAS INJURED. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 24, 1997

SEATBACK FAILED DUE TO A BOLT DISCONNECTING. *AK

Incident date: Mar 20, 1997

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.

Fire

Incident date: May 1, 1994

CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

Fire

THE IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED, ALL THE WIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Apr 22, 1996

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD

Fire

Incident date: Jan 1, 1986

BRAKES DON'T HOLD. *DSH

Incident date: Jan 1, 1995

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Apr 1, 1996

WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED, SMELLED OF WIRING BURNING FOR A PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

Incident date: Aug 10, 1992

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED TWICE, PRIOR TO RECALL. (85V025000) *DSH

EPA Fuel Economy, 1985 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	17.0	24.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	16.0	20.0	18.0	Regular	$3,400
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	17.0	23.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	16.0	20.0	17.0	Regular	$3,600
2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	17.0	24.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	17.0	20.0	18.0	Regular	$3,400
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	16.0	23.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	15.0	22.0	17.0	Regular	$3,600

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1985 FORD THUNDERBIRD

25 manufacturer communications from 19 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	5
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	3
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER	3
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	2
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2
036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	1
131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD	1
190000 TIRES	1

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

138600 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

103600 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

190000 TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW

131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW

036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PAR

034420 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

UNKNOWN

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

UNKNOWN

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

UNKNOWN

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UNKNOWN

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

UNKNOWN

113100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID

UNKNOWN

138800 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

UNKNOWN

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, FORD THUNDERBIRD

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1992

HEADLIGHT SWITCH

SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN INTERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CAN OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLING OPERATION.

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1992

HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER

HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN ITERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREALER THAT MAY OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLIGHT OPERATION

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1992

FUEL LINE JUMPER

TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ALLEGED FUEL LINE FAILURES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED NATIONALLY

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1992

REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE

THE REAR FUEL TUBE BUNDLE MAY ABRADE AND FAIL IN THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL TANK.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1987

FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES